NPP not surprised by manipulation of Otabil's statements

A member of the NPP communications team and a spokesman to Dr. Bawumia, Mike Ocquaye Jnr, has shared his bit on the misconception by some people on Pastor Mensah Otabil’s alleged sermon that depicts a contradiction to the NPP's campaign message on free education.

In an interview with Ama Pokua Mensah on e.tv Ghana’s flagship programme, Awake, he stated that, he is not surprised about what is happening to the man of God though he sympathizes with him.

He lamented as to why the sermon of a man of God could be twisted to serve the interest of some people all in the name of politics.

In his view, Pastor Mensah Otabil is not against the free Senior High School education and that he only made a statement to urge his congregation to give towards projects in the church.

“What Dr. Mensah Otabil was telling his church was that ,politicians give you free things by using your taxes so if you want ICGC to help with this school project to help people with scholarships, then you have to pay your tithes because when you pay those tithes then we can use them to help the needy in the church,” he indicated.

Mr. Ocquaye said, Dr. Otabils’ statement seeks to enlighten the public on the fact that monies used by the government to provide free education is due to the taxes paid in the country and this is what his party intend doing.

“He never criticized free SHS. He is just saying that nothing is free ,someone has to pay for it and the NPP has also never said the free SHS is going to be paid from NPP account. We are going to use the tax payers money.” he said.

The General Overseer of the International Central Gospel Church, Pastor Mensa Otabil on Monday responded to what he calls “evil attempts to expose him to public ridicule and the running harassment against my integrity.”

He said the doctoring and manipulation of his sermons over the years to give them political twists was defamatory, unethical, criminal, malicious and evil.